The Who: Live In Boston

By: Erik Swift

October 2004

DVD Features Video: 1.85:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0, PCM Stereo Featured  songs: I Can’t Explain Substitute Anyway Anyhow Anywhere Who Are You Another Tricky Day Relay Bargain Baba O’Riley Sea and Sand 5:15 Love Reign O’er Me Eminence Front Behind Blue Eyes You Better You Bet The Kids Are Alright My Generation Won’t Get Fooled Again Pinball Wizard Amazing Journey/Sparks See Me Feel Me Listening to You DVD released on 9/14/2004 by Rhino Running Time: 141 Mins

The Who has not been The Who since the death of manic drum machine Keith Moon more than a quarter-century ago, although they managed to slap together two lackluster albums before calling it quits in 1982. As many legendary lineups tend to notice when they disband, singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend and bassist John Entwistle were not as successful on their own as they were together. Regrouping in 1989 for their 25th anniversary and again in 1996 to perform their “Quadrophenia” album, the tours were well received but bloated affairs with as many as 18 people on stage at once. “From The Blues To The Bush,” a live album that saw the three original members joined by only Zak Starkey on drums and John “Rabbit” Bundrick on keyboards, was the modus operandi for a critically and popularly welcomed go-round as a quintet in 2000.

However, when The Who geared up for a summer 2002 tour, the effort was derided before it even started. Industry folk called it the “Concert For New York Tour” (referring to the Paul McCartney-helmed September 11th benefit show the previous October, a show where The Who unquestionably blew the roof off Madison Square Garden), and wondered what remaining excuse there was for these guys to tour yet again. Tragically, Entwistle passed away 24 hours before the Las Vegas tour kickoff. The Ox was the most unique of bass players and an essential part of The Who. His sound was so distinct and heavy that generations have tried to copy his style. John was a gentleman and the nicest rock star of his caliber I have ever met. Even cynics were shocked at the joint announcement from Daltrey and Townshend that the tour would continue. Confident that their decision was the best, Pete and Roger played every date on the schedule. Each gig became a tribute to both the band’s endurance and Entwistle, who would have turned 60 this month. One night from this excursion was filmed and “The Who Live In Boston” is now available on DVD from WSM.

Cheering thousands erupt when the house lights lift and the iconic riff of “I Can’t Explain” explodes from Townshend’s guitar. “Substitute” follows, an odd juxtaposition of songs given the loss of Entwistle. The nice rolling bass in “Anyway Anyhow Anywhere” comes courtesy of Pino Palladino, who had to learn the Who catalog in less than a week. “Who Are You” is where the band, also featuring Pete’s brother Simon on rhythm guitar, solidifies. Both Townshends occasionally make an appearance as Palladino’s steadying bass, Rabbit’s jaunty work on the ivories and the crushing drumbeats from Ringo’s son guide the tune during its instrumental section. The band totally jams on the coda of “Baba O’Riley” and a swaggering “Relay.” Palladino does an admirable job under the gun; stepping into the shoes of the Hendrix of bass is no enviable task.

The inherent animosity of the band’s Mod background rears its head during the evening. Both Pete and Roger yell at an unruly fan(s) to shut up several times; it gets to where Townshend should Abbie Hoffman the guy’s ass before the band takes on “The Kids Are Alright.” During the final 25 minutes of the first set, Pete is in transcendent control of the music. He nearly stops “Kids” but then single-handedly ignites it again only to segue into “My Generation,” which THEN flows into a great version of “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” It’s incredible to watch the guitarist, who wrings more notes out of his Fender on “Kids” than most mere mortals could handle. The extended portion of “Kids” also lyrically hints at the new material the band released on this year’s “Then And Now” collection. The encore centers on “Tommy,” and when Daltrey grabs the tambourines the band kicks into a serious groove during “Amazing Journey” and “Sparks.” Two hours after the show starts, no one is ready for the band to leave.

The lights are really bright on Daltrey at times. It makes him frequently look washed out despite a perpetual tan. For a guy pushing sixty that belts lines like “Thank God I ain’t old” or “Hope I die before I get old,” it only serves to highlight his failure to hit the high notes (“Love Reign O’er Me”). Occasionally he nails a primal scream elsewhere (“Won’t Get Fooled Again”), but the reality is in the DVD extras - Pete claims the singer had to understandably be convinced to support this release. Also on the downside, the cover of “Live In Boston” looks like a bootleg scan. Yet, one listen to the excellent 5.1 & 2.0 stereo sound erases any thought of the “b” word. It’s crystal clear and each musician can be heard with excellent clarity. The extras are pretty slim…mostly interviews and an Entwistle gallery, but this Who merits a view for the casual fan.

For The Who 101, stick with “The Kids Are Alright” DVD. Although the temptation is present to call this “Who’s Missing,” the band’s recent shows have been among the best of their career and “Live In Boston” offers verification. These guys are truly busting their asses; it’s not quite time for The Who to be relegated with a “sweating to the oldies” label. Rock is dead, they say, but long live the Who.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BORROW IT!!